Revenu Québec is calling on Suroît organizations that want to make a difference in their community. How can they do so? By volunteering to help local citizens complete their tax returns during tax season.

The tax assistance service has been jointly administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec since 1988. It is aimed at Quebec residents who have difficulty completing their tax returns, who have a straightforward tax situation, and who are unable to use professional services.

Last year, more than 180,000 people called on the tax assistance service and received the benefits and tax credits to which they were entitled. Of these, more than 166,000 used the service to file both their federal and provincial tax returns.

In all, 530 Quebec organizations organized in-person or virtual tax preparation sessions, with 3,120 volunteers taking part. As a result, more than $633.5 million (more precisely, $339 million from the provincial government and $294.5 million from the federal government) in federal and provincial refunds, tax credits and benefits were obtained by those who benefited from the assistance service during the last tax season.

Virtual or face-to-face sessions

Volunteers who wish to get involved will be affiliated with participating organizations.Online training will be provided. In addition, they will be able to use tax preparation software free of charge, and will have access to dedicated telephone lines.CRA and Revenu Québec agents will be on hand to answer any questions they may have.

New this year is the simplification of Revenu Québec's Tax Data Download (TDF) service. This service enables tax information held by Revenu Québec to be downloaded into a software program. Volunteers will save time, and the process of filing tax returns for those who benefit from the service will be simplified. ARC offers a service equivalent to the TDF, the Préremplir ma déclaration service. 

At tax time, organizations will be able to organize either face-to-face or virtual tax preparation sessions, depending on their preference.Virtual sessions are held by videoconference, telephone or envelope system.They are an interesting option for people who don't have access to services close to home.Grants and computer donations

Participating organizations may be eligible for two grants as part of the tax assistance service, one offered by the Canada Revenue Agency This link will open a new tab, and the other by Revenu Québec.For each tax return filed through the Tax-Aide service, the CRA will contribute $5, and Revenu Québec will also contribute $5. Participating organizations may also receive a computer through a donation program.

In addition, the CRA grants a basic amount of $500 or $1,500 for basic expenses, depending on the number of returns filed. Additional amounts are also available for organizations serving aboriginal communities, northern communities or operating in rural and remote communities.

For more information on the tax assistance service, or to find out how to participate as a volunteer or organization, visit the Tax Assistance Service - Volunteer Program sub-section on the Revenu Québec website.